20th Bn Middlesex Regt

[andy1400]

Could anyone tell me what the 20th Bn Middlesex Regt were doing and where they were on 11/04/1918? I am interested in Pte George Thurlow who was killed in action on this date.

Thank you

Andy

[Steven Broomfield]

121 Bde, 40 Divn. According to Divnl History, on the day in question "things were not going too well": they were caught up in the big German Offensive on the Lys. HQ was at Vieux Berquin, SW of Bailleul (pretty much the base of a traingle Hazebrouck/VB/Bailleul).

121Bde was effectively a composite battalion of 12 Suffolk, 13 Yorks and 20 Mx, commanded by the CO of the 20th (Lt Col Richards).

The enemy attacked heavily at about 2 pm; the bde were in reserve, but were called on to counter attack from their posiion at Pont d'Achelles towards Romarin (west of Ploegsteert), where a breakthrough had been effected. The attack was successful and at night the Bde withdrew into rest at Strazeele.

The 121 Bde had been effectively separated from the rest of the division, which was covering Hazebrouck, so the action on the 11th was almost as an independent body. When it reached Strazeele (at about 5 a.m. on the 12th) it was reunited with the 40th Div.

Hope that helps. Steven

[andy1400]

Thanks very much Steven. Very useful and interesting.

Cheers

Andy

[gericht 1914]

Andy.

The 20/Middx. had, on the 10th April withdrawn through Armentieres with part of "A" Coy joining the transport at Petit Sec Bois and moving to Hazebrouck, the remainder of the coy, with 3 officers joining the 29th Division. The CO and 23 OR's was with the 13/Yorkshires and the 12/Suffolks at Nieppe.

On the night of 11th April, the part of the 20/Middx who were at Nieppe were relieved and took up a position on the Bailleul-Nieppe road north of La Creche.

According to Wyrall's "Die-Hards in the Great War", "it is not possible to give details of the individual acts of gallantry, or of the fighting during the three days of battle, as the confused nature of the reports make a coherant story impossible".

Dave.

[gericht 1914]

The 20/Middx. had, on the 10th April withdrawn through Armentieres with part of "A" Coy joining the transport at Petit Sec Bois and moving to Hazebrouck, the remainder of the coy, with 3 officers joining the 29th Division. The CO and 23 OR's was with the 13/Yorkshires and the 12/Suffolks at Nieppe.

Forgot to mention. At this point, the 20/Middx were under the orders of the 103rd Bde (34th Division).

Dave.